West Hill Citadel Anniversary Features Staff Band

The West Hill Citadel (formerly Greenwood) Corps in Toronto celebrated its 80th anniversary on the weekend of 9 – 10 April, with special guests Commissioners (retired) Donald and Joyce Kerr and the Canadian Staff Band (Bandmaster Kevin Hayward). This trip also marked the first engagement by the band with their interim Executive Officer, Lt.-Col. Bill Wilson.

The events began with an anniversary dinner on Saturday, followed by a festival concert at the Citadel. Featured items at the festival included some old standard pieces such as For Our Trangressions (Morley Calvert) and Songs in Exile (Eric Ball). Acknowledging the large part of the West Hill congregation that has a Newfoundland background, the band also presented a couple of items with a Newfoundland emphasis: Botwood 110 (Keith Ketteringham) and Newfoundland Sing-along (Kenneth Smith).

The band participated in the Sunday morning meetings (also conducted with a Newfoundland flavor), notably showing its versatility by singing The Calvary Track. In the afternoon, the group split into two ensembles for afternoon services at two nursing homes. Enrollment of new soldiers and a period of renewal for all soldiers was featured at the evening Salvation Meeting.

Source:
Reported on the Canadian Staff Band web site.

Posted by Webmaster 03 June 2005 12:23:59